Feng Lin also looked stunned, clearly not expecting such a result.
"It wasn't me," he said, taking Su Xianyu's cold hand firmly.
Hearing his denial, Su Xianyu quickly came to her senses.
Although Feng Lin had always been tough in his methods, he would never stoop so low as to win in such a way.
However, it was all too coincidental.
The barrage, the generous tips, and Li Hongyu's "accidental" death. The series of events sent a chill down her spine.
Weren't authors prohibited from directly eliminating important supporting characters? So how could this happen...
【!!! He's really gone? The author is playing it so tough?】
【Hahaha, it's so satisfying! I'll tip ×200. This money is well - spent!】
【A tire burst on the highway. It's just an accident. It doesn't count as a violation, right?】
【Theoretically, it's not allowed. But as long as no one reports it, the consciousness of the small world can't oversee everything. It'll be okay.】
【Li Hongyu didn't deserve to die. Is this really okay?】
【Who cares if it's a violation? At least we don't have to see him anymore! Come on, Xiaoyu. Focus on your love life from now on...】
Su Xianyu sat on the sofa in silence for a long time.
The exhilaration of taking down Hongyu Group just now had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of confusion and a hint of fear.
Seeing her pale face, Feng Lin pulled her into his arms. "Don't think too much. Maybe it really was just an accident."
Looking at the fanatical words on the barrage, Su Xianyu once again truly felt the terror of this unknown power.
It could warn of danger and bring convenience, but it could also easily cross the boundaries of morality and law, creating an irreparable tragedy.
In the eyes of many people in the barrage, the characters in the small world were no different from paper - cutouts, not real lives at all.
Feng Lin's hand gently patted her back. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. No matter what happens, we'll face it together."
Su Xianyu buried her face in his chest. Listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her chaotic thoughts didn't calm down.
She remembered the satisfaction she felt when seeing Li Hongyu being ridiculed, and how she hadn't stopped the inciting remarks on the barrage...
If she hadn't allowed this malice to spread, would this outcome have been avoided?
"Did I cause this..."
Feng Lin lifted her face, his eyes firm. "Xiaoyu, look at me."
"Li Hongyu's death was his own doing. It has nothing to do with you."
"You never wanted him dead, and you've always used proper means, haven't you?"
He paused, thinking of what Xiaoyu had said about the barrage. "It's not your fault. It's that author who is willing to do anything for profit that has rewritten the character's fate."
Looking into his deep eyes, Su Xianyu's wandering thoughts returned to normal. "But... I did feel happy when I saw him being scolded."
"Because he wanted to hurt us," Feng Lin said, gently pinching her cheek as he patiently comforted her.
"But feeling happy doesn't mean wishing for his death. They're two different things."
"Just like we hate mosquitoes, but we won't hope that they get run over by a car just because they bit us, right?"
This strange analogy finally made Su Xianyu burst out laughing.
Seeing her mood lighten, Feng Lin hugged her even tighter. "Don't think blindly, okay?"
"If you really feel bad, let's do something."
"How about... donating a sum of money to a charity in Hongyu's name. It can be the end of this feud."
Su Xianyu leaned in his arms and nodded.
Just then, Feng Lin's phone rang. It was an email from his assistant.
He opened the attachment, and his eyebrows gradually knitted together.
Su Xianyu leaned over to take a look. On the screen was a tire inspection report. There were obvious signs of artificial cutting at the burst - tire spot, but the technique was extremely subtle. At first glance, it looked like natural wear.
The author had designed even such details to make the "accident" look more real!
In order to make a fortune before the small world completely got out of control, she had disregarded all moral bottom - lines.
This thought made Su Xianyu shiver. What they saw as a game was a real life to those around her!
They couldn't be allowed to act recklessly anymore.
"I'm going to report her," Su Xianyu took a deep breath.
"The small world has rules. You can't write off important supporting characters in such a borderline way. Since she dared to violate the rules, she should pay the price."
Looking at her serious profile, Feng Lin's eyes were gentle.
He liked Xiaoyu like this. She had a soft heart of compassion and unyielding principles.
Feng Lin reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "What do you need me to do?"
"All I need most is your support," Su Xianyu said, pausing for a moment with a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.
"The consequences of reporting the author are unknown. The barrage will probably be shut down."
"This means we'll lose the protagonist's halo, all that inexplicable good luck, and we may even encounter a lot of troubles. Are you..."
"I'm willing," Feng Lin interrupted her before she could finish, his tone resolute.
"Xiaoyu, I've never cared about the protagonist's halo, or whether the world revolves around us."
"All I've ever cared about is you."
Feng Lin reached out to caress her cheek, his fingertips gentle. "Even without the halo, as long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything."
Su Xianyu's eyes instantly turned red.
She knew Feng Lin was telling the truth. This man hadn't achieved his success by luck. His abilities and determination were enough to weather any storm.
And all her efforts to become the protagonist weren't for any special privileges. She just didn't want others to manipulate her life at will.
"But..." She still hesitated. "If we're no longer the protagonists, will this world cease to 'exist'? Or will we..."
"No matter what this world becomes, I'll find you," Feng Lin's voice was deep and powerful as he made a vow in her ear. "Even if the sky falls, I'll protect you."
His words completely dispelled the last trace of hesitation in Su Xianyu's heart.
She nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
Since becoming the protagonist after passing the levels, Su Xianyu had obtained the "contact information" of the small - world consciousness on the barrage.
She thought over the reasons for the report. After confirming and submitting it, she let out a long sigh. "I hope the small world will handle this fairly."
Feng Lin walked over and gently hugged her from behind. "Don't worry. It will."
"You've been busy for so long. Are you hungry?" He nuzzled her neck. "I've asked Aunt Liu to make your favorite sweet - and - sour spare ribs."
Mentioning food, Su Xianyu's stomach growled.
She turned around, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his chin. "I'm hungry! But before we eat, I want to hug you."
Feng Lin laughed and picked her up horizontally. "Okay. I'll hold you until you don't want me to..."
After dinner, they leaned on the sofa and watched a movie.
Su Xianyu specifically chose a light - hearted comedy, but as she watched, her attention drifted to the floating barrage again.
The consciousness of the small world hadn't given a reply yet, but the discussion on the barrage was intensifying...